Can We Vaccinate Against PML in Multiple Sclerosis?

A type of kidney infection is more likely in those with multiple sclerosis treated with natalizumab. It may be possible to vaccinate against this potential co-morbidity.

The JC polyomavirus is reported to be a persistent but otherwise asymptomatic kidney infection in a large portion of healthy people. However, in those with hereditary or acquired immune deficiency, a mutated form of the JC polyomavirus may lead to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a central nervous system (CNS) infection characterized by progressive inflammation of the white matter of the brain. This is of particular interest in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with natalizumab (Tysabri), which has been associated with an increased risk for the development of PML.

Antiviral agents do not seem to be effective in treating the JC virus disease, leaving reconstitution of the immune system the only current approach for PML treatment. However, this is associated with possible development of a potentially lethal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

Now, two studies are laying the foundation for a possible PML vaccine with neutralizing antibodies.

“MS patients with PML under natalizumab treatment are special in that their immune system is not compromised, but the anti-VLA-4 antibody natalizumab prevents access of immune cells to the CNS compartment. As a result, PML may develop since physiological immune surveillance of the CNS is not functioning,” study author Roland Martin, MD, of the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Section at the Department of Neurology, University of Zurich in Switzerland, told Neurology Advisor. “As soon as PML is diagnosed and the treatment with Tysabri stopped, the immune cells gain access to the CNS again and mount an efficient immune response in most cases. From these reasons, MS patients with PML were a particularly good source for antibody-producing cells and generation of the broadly neutralizing antibodies.”

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